Thursday, April 30, 2020

Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin’s irrepressible eighty-something matchmakers Anna and Felty Helmuth are at it again. And this time they’re willing to rough it to get the job done . . .Mary Anne Neuenschwander knows she should be content with what Gotte has given her. She has a comfortable house, a fruitful farm, and a good, steady husband. But after nearly six years of marriage, she still longs for a baby. Yet her husband, Jethro, seems to care more about fishing than about his wife. Unable to bear Jethro’s indifference, Mary Anne moves into a tent in the woods where he won’t have to be bothered. But when her mammi and dawdi find out what she’s done, they’ll stop at nothing—including a little camping trip of their own—to help save their granddaughter’s marriage . . .

Jethro’s greatest blessing is his beloved wife, Mary Anne. Nothing else in his life has turned out anywhere near the way he expected. Rather than burden Mary Anne with his disappointment, he shields her by spending less and less time at home and more time on the river. But when he finds that she’s moved out, he’s shocked. What will people think? What is Mary Anne thinking? And what clever plans are her grandparents hatching?. . .

Jennifer Beckstrand is the two-time RITA-nominated, #1 Amazon bestselling Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series, The Honeybee Sisters series, and The Petersheim Brothers series for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer and Home on Huckleberry Hill were bothnominated for the coveted RITA® Award from Romance Writers of America. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth, the Honeybee sisters’ aendi Bitsy, and Alfie and Benji Petersheim. Jennifer has written twenty-two Amish romances, a historical Western, and the nonfiction book, Big Ideas. Jennifer is represented by Nicole Resciniti of the Seymour Agency. She and her husband have been married for thirty-five years, and she has six children and eight adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

HOME ON HUCKLEBERRY HILL" BY JENNIFER BECKSTRAND is a really good book. It is a story about how a married Amish couple take each other for granted. If the reader lets it, it can give you clues into why your marriage may be having trouble. Yes, the book is fiction but again Fiction can be real life.

This book is a much more serious book than the other books in this series. Yes, there are funny scenes in the books and a few witty sayings.

This book has characters that readers really love and then there are a few that you really want them to fall into a pile of manure. ( you know there is a outhouse in this story.)

I recommend this book even if you don't like the Amish genre.

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

Selling stories is a deadly businessTanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for morethan a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her wayfrom poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the kinghimself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’renot known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets anddiscovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . andthey’re after her too.Awards:***2019 Carol Award winner, Debut******2019 Realm Award Book of the Year***

Lindsay A. Franklin is a best-selling author, freelance editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She wouldwear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. Lindsay lives in her native San Diego with herscruffy-looking nerf-herder husband, their precious geeklings, three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a.cats), and a stuffed marsupial named Wombatman.Ebook files: https://BookHip.com/KRZXJDSocial media:https://www.facebook.com/enclave.publishing/https://twitter.com/enclavebookshttps://www.instagram.com/encla

I really wanted to like this story but honestly I didn't. I mean, you would think a reader like me would like a story where a story teller can make their stories actually show colors ribbons. I don't know if it is because I read so many books that I feel like I could crawl into the pages and see the scenes unfold and this book didn't make me feel that way. I wouldn't say this book was a complete failure as the ending was great. I did like Tanwen. She was honest and loyal and a friendly character.

I don't say this often, but I might like this story better if I could have seen a movie first, it might have helped if I could have seen the colors described in 3D. This book to me was boring, I'm sorry but I need to be honest. I think this is a book that reader s really like or don't like. I have read this book twice and have felt the same way both times. I will also say that I have read the second book in the series and it was so much more to my liking.I know this book is a fantasy and not real life but I honestly couldn't see this happening. If you like fantasy and I know lots of readers have say great things about this book, so I recommend you reading it for yourself. I was given a contemporary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

About the Book

The Fierce Land…
His escape from there still haunts his dreams with snatches of terror
and the smell of blood. Dreams that jolt him awake, his heart pounding a
frantic pace in his chest.
No longer a frightened, grieving child, Rikk has a duty—a mission.
Myla, Rikk’s little sister, now grown herself, remains trapped in that
harsh land.
Can she possibly know he survived his escape, and now, years later,
prepares ready to travel back to find her? The village elders and the
rest of his adopted people have such confidence in his ability to make
the journey. Yet his heart is still divided, and fearful.
He should have faith, as they do.
But dread lurks below the surface of the calm face he shows.

Return to the Fierce Land" by N.C. Bolton is a book that I wasn't sure I was going to like at first but once again I was surprised. I really did like the book and wanted to keep reading after it was finished. Good news, a sequel is coming. I am wanting to read it now.

This book talked about Spirituals gifts like healing, visions, talking in tongues and and
receiving leading from God and how to fight evil without weapons.

I would recommend this book to others readers and older children even through it is in the fantasy genre.

I received a complementary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

About the Author

N.C. Bolton is a wife, mother, grandmother, jewelry maker, crochet
crafter, and of course: a writer! She lives in upstate New York in a
lovely scenic region known as The Fingerlakes. Widowed last year, she is
comforted by her five sons, two grandchildren and a marvelous array of
family and other loved ones. She loves the creative process, and puts
her whole focus into the stories she writes. May you be entertained and
uplifted by them!
You visit her website here.

More from N.C. Bolton

I’ve always been drawn to the miraculous aspects of life and
creation. I think almost all children experience this, but over time we
become so busy and distracted that we lose the awareness of how
miraculous life really is. I’m no different. Modern life is pretty
demanding!
I love good movies, and I realized over time that there were a great
many super-hero movies and movies with Messianic-themed heroes. It made
me aware of how human beings hunger to reconnect with that sense of awe
we had as children. We all need a relationship with God, not just for
His abiding love and hope, the promise of eternal life, and help with
the challenges of this mortal life, but to be connected to the Author of
the miraculous.
That’s what inspired me to write the Fierce Land series. The
scriptures are full of miracles and interventions as well as the
heartfelt prayers of humans trying to learn God’s ways and overcome
their own internal struggles. And that’s what this series explores,
within the framework of a world that is not modern but faces many of the
same issues people have always faced. I hope the story is a blessing to
those who read it, and that it helps to remind us that our lives are
full of miracles.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

About the Book

Book: The Wait Will Not Be WastedAuthor: Lauren LianneGenre: Non-fiction/Christian LivingRelease Date: February 14, 2020

You’ve probably imagined the job, the spouse, the kids—and you knew what age you wanted it all to happen. However, all too often such plans go up in smoke, and you may feel confused and forgotten when reality doesn’t match your expectations. When life doesn’t go like you planned, can you still trust that God knows how to write the best stories? Instead of taking the pen to your own story, author Lauren Walton suggests refocusing on your Creator.
After spending years frustrated because life wasn’t going according to her plans, Lauren decided to give up control. It was then she learned God’s graciousness wasn’t based on getting what she wanted and that God’s perfect plan included an unexpected season. She wrote The Wait Will Not Be Wasted to help other single women during times of unfulfilled hopes. Lauren shares how self-reflection, journaling, and practical experience have led her to find deep fulfillment and a God-given purpose while she waits. It is her hope that her journey will help others see God’s goodness even during the most difficult times.
Though directed at single women, the concepts apply to any woman waiting for God to move in her life.

"The Wait Will Not Be Wasted" by Lauren Lianne is another book that surprise me! I can honestly say that if I seen it at the library I wouldn't have checked it out! Why, I know you are asking, well be cause it for women who are single and want to be married. I am not single and haven't been for 42 years.

Well, here is the reason, I was surprised, the book is a useful tool for anything you are waiting for. Yes, it talks about the author wanting to be married and be a parent, but I found myself putting in the things I am waiting for.

My favorite chapter in the book is chapter 7 "You Gotta Have Faith". I really like this quote " He said faith isn't an imaginary state where we convince ourselves nothing bad will ever happen. Instead, "Faith is a focus." Faith is when we decide to put our focus on God and who He is no matter what- even while we are still going through the tragedy and even when the wait makes no sense."

There are questions at the end of each chapters to answer and there is also a prayer. These questions and prayers aren't geared toward being married but on trusting in the wait.

I truly recommend this book even if you aren't a single woman.

I received a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

About the Author

Lauren Walton is a native Floridian who now calls Nashville home. She loves traveling, dancing, staying active with her church community, and cheering on her Auburn University Tigers. Lauren’s faith has carried her through some tough times, and it is now her life goal to help others see God’s goodness even during the most difficult times.

More from Lauren

All I have ever wanted was to be a wife and a mom. In the life I had always imagined there were no other options. But then college came and went, moving to a new city and finding my first job came and went. And so many other milestones came and went, including my 35th birthday. As the years kept passing, I found myself still waiting. My heart felt confused and forgotten. I didn’t understand why God would give me this desire and then withhold it from me.
About eight years ago a friend wrote a verse in my journal. I loved it at the time but didn’t realize it would become my anthem in the future. She wrote Psalm 94:17, which says, “Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence”. I can’t tell you how many times I almost settled in silence but turns out God had other plans for me.
Many times I started to wonder if God really was the good God I had always thought He was. I grew up in church and had been taught from a young age to believe God was good no matter what. But as the wait got longer and longer He didn’t seem to be very good. At that point, I started questioning so many things as I felt my faith beginning to crack. I was terrified of what I might find if I dug into the pain so I pushed it aside, or at least tried to. I began to believe the lie that having doubts would make me a horrible Christian so I kept silent. I was so afraid to ask the tough questions and was afraid of what those questions might say about me. Ignoring those concerns ended up being a breeding ground for all my doubts, which eventually led me to make decisions I normally would never have made. I lost sight of God’s goodness and found myself solely focusing on what I didn’t have… a husband and a family. This was a season filled with sadness and so much bitterness. I was so over being single and so frustrated with the way my life had turned out. But somewhere in the middle of all that hurt, and despite all my mistakes, God still came for me. He started teaching me all over again who He was as my Father. And how much He loved me.
As I started walking towards healing, I began to ask God the really hard questions my heart couldn’t make sense of, and I believe He started to answer me. So I started to write it all down. I kept a running note in my phone and I always felt like the things God was showing me and encouraging me with were not just for me. If God had me still waiting, there must be a reason and I was determined to figure out what that was. I eventually took a next step and went away for the weekend to write. I found the perfect Airbnb tree house and 7 chapters came spilling out.
At that point it became very clear this book needed to be written and I felt very strongly it needed to be written now… while I am still waiting and not when I am on the other side of my singleness. It’s my hope this will cause other women to lean into what I am saying, or better yet what God has to say. I believe these are His words and not mine anyway.The Wait will not be Wasted is my “yes” to the Lord and my thank you for how far He has brought me. It’s my whole heart in written form, and the story of my victories and struggles while walking through my singleness. It’s not the pretty or cleaned up version of my story. It was very purposely written that way so we could all take a deep breath and know it’s okay, that it’s hard and it’s okay to make mistakes. I know I’ve made plenty.
I’m praying as women read these words they will discover this life is never going to be void of the hard but there is a very real and very big God who is bigger than anything we go through. I hope together we can begin to see our singleness through a new filter, as we began to shift our attention and see things more from God’s perspective instead of our own. Knowing this doesn’t mean the wait will all of a sudden be easier. But also seeing even through the pain there is a purpose to this season. And God is working all of it together for our good.
He’s always making sure not one minute of our pain is wasted.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

About the Book

Book: Oh, Gracious!Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian fiction, contemporary Romance, woman’s fictionRelease Date: March 31, 2020Life is too short to settle for just anyone.
Grace gave her whole heart to Jesus, but now he wants a part of it.
All she ever wanted was to be a homemaker.
Sure, she has a degree in physics. Yes, she could have a lucrative job in Rockland, but Grace Buscher enjoys her life as a single homemaker. As they say, it’s her choice.
As a successful business owner, a handsome guy, and heir to a small fortune, it’s no wonder Nolan Burke is one of Rockland’s most eligible bachelors. The problem is, he hasn’t met anyone who isn’t looking for a “trophy husband.”
Don’t family-centered women exist anymore?
Grace isn’t exactly eye candy. Nolan is a bit blind. So when an “accidental meeting” forges an unlikely friendship, it becomes obvious to everyone that it’s likely to become more.
But is Grace ready to give up the life she loves for the man she loves?
Find out in this completely updated, revised, and improved version of Chautona Havig’s first novel, Noble Pursuits.

"Oh, Gracious!" by Chautona Havig is a book that is about friendship and love and family. There are scenes in this story that makes you laugh out loud. Scenes that included Grace's hatred of mice and a wrong Biblical passage.

If you like clean romances with characters that are real and clearly shows Christian principals then I say you will really like "Oh, Gracious!" by Chautona Havig.

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.About the AuthorChautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

Wow, My Beloved First Book Was a Hot Mess

On my blog, I sometimes answer readers’ questions, and one of the earliest ones was, “Since you zip out your books so fast, do you ever later wish you had done something differently with them?”
My answer today is the same as back then—usually. No. Yes, I sometimes regret not being able to tell a supporting character’s story because the book has given away that person’s past and/or future. Still, most of the time, I tell the story as I want it.
But in that postabout “regrets,” I said that as I learn, I definitely wish to improve sentences here, and others there. I did this already with Argosy Junction, the second book that I published. The first two or three books were experiments where I made many serious mistakes. Took bad advice. Didn’t know the right things to research. All the mistake-ness.
Total transparency here. I chose Argosy Junctionto revise first because I made fewer mistakes on it. Still lots, but not as many as my first book, Noble Pursuits.
Bad editing advice, horrible cover design (twice), and just basic writing craft stuff that I didn’t know when I started this whole journey all culminated in a book I both loved (the story) and hated (the final result). Many reviewers said the same thing, too. That poor book has the worst reviews of all of my books combined.

And for good reason.

But it’s a good story—one I love, as I said—and it has some strong fans. Some readers were able to look past the problems and see the heart of what I tried to do with it. And that was a beautiful thing. Those readers, actually, are the ones I’ve rewritten this book for.
Yes, I rewrote Noble Pursuits.While every sentence isn’t completely rewritten, enough are that I considered it a new book, not just a revised one.
A few readers have panicked to see the title changed, the story rewritten. They’ve asked if I took out this or even that. I took out and added nothing that 99.9% of readers would ever notice. And it’s a better book for it.
I am updating the original Noble Pursuits file with the new text. I’m doing this in hopes that those who already own that book can go into their digital content on Amazon and get the updated version. I don’t know if it will work, but I pray it does.
Meanwhile, for those who’ve asked why they can’t buy the first book on my Suggested Reading Orderlist, well… now you can!Oh, Gracious! has been a long time coming, but she’s here with a new title, rewritten content, and even a lovely new cover by the brilliantly talented Perry Elizabeth. It took what seems like forever to settle on a title, but we finally did. Why we chose Oh, Gracious!however, is a story for another day.

About the Book

What better way to spend the last few minutes of the day than snuggled up with your children, pouring God’s love into their hearts? God’s Words to Dream On calms, quiets, and opens hearts to hear faith-building Bible stories and prayers. Over 50 stories—from the Old and New Testaments—create an overview of the Bible with a focus on God’s love, care, protection, trustworthiness, and power.

I am going to start this review of "God’s Words to Dream On" by Diane Stortz saying the next time I am invited to a baby shower this book is going to part of the present from me! I always give books as gift but how much better to give God's words!

This book is so colorful. I like that the book is hardback and not paper , so children can hold it and not really about tearing it unless of course they try to. ( let's be honest, Children don't treasure books like us readers do.)

Each of the Fifty-two stories start with a Scripture and ends with a prayer and a bedtime blessing.
I really love the prayers, what a cool way to end the night. I wish I had a book like this to read to my children when they were little, I did read to them but this book would have been a great tool for me.

This is a book that children will want to read for themselves as they start to read on their one.

It even has a ribbon bookmark so you can keep track of your place each night.

At the end of the book is Tips for Reading with young children.

Yes, I am going to go ahead and say it, these prayers are perfect prayers for adults just learning to pray could use also. I am going to include one in this review "Dear God, every day, show me how I can help and serve other people. I want to serve others like Jesus did. Good night, God! Amen"

I love this book and and so glad that I received a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinons are my own.

I have already brought several copies to have on hand for gifts.

Can I say I love This Book!

About the Author

Diane Stortz is a multipublished author who writes to make God’s wonders known to the next generation. Her children’s releases include the best-selling Say & Pray Bibleand I AM: 40 Reasons to Trust God, both from Tommy Nelson. Diane’s books for women, A Woman’s Guide to Reading the Bible in a Yearand Encountering God’s Heart for You, both from Bethany House, encourage women to get to know God through His Word, the Bible. Diane and her husband have two married daughters and five grandchildren—all boys! Visit her at www.DianeStortz.com.

More from Diane

A happy bedtime contributes so much to a child’s welfare. Perhaps a warm bath, a story, some cuddles with mom or dad, and a prayer equal a time-tested bedtime routine. These last moments of the day, done right, create a wonderful sense of family security and love for children as they fall asleep.
Bedtime also gives us a wonderful opportunity to help children grow secure in God’s love. I wrote God’s Words to Dream On for just that reason. The stories not only create an overview of the Bible’s big story, but they focus on God’s love and care—the ways He shows us His power and protection and the reasons we can trust Him. Each story includes a simple Bible verse to remember, a simple prayer, and a bedtime blessing for your child.
Young children thrive on routine, and I think a Bible story at bedtime might be one of the best!

Sunday, April 26, 2020

About the Book

Police Chief Jo Oliver needed a little time to herself. But when her escape to Wisconsin turns deadly, she teams up with FBI agent Nick Vitarello, hoping to catch the Bow Tie Killer. Their romantic past and complicated present leads them into uncharted territory as they match wits with a psychopath bent on destroying everything they hold dear.

I recommend reading this series in order , but I have read two of the four and can still follow the story. These stories are about murder as you can tell by the titles but they are romances as well, with a lot of background tellings about past episodes but the scenes aren't too graphic. Just too much necking for me in a Christian novel. But, yes I would recommend these books.

Again, this book reminds me of the television show " Criminal Minds". I really liked the profiling and how defined the investigation is. You can tell the author has done research on profiling because the details are excellent.

I cannot wait to read the other two books in this series, well I have read the first one a long time ago but I will be rereading just to refresh my mind on how the series started. This series, in my opinion would make a great couple of movies.

I really like how Jo and Nick struggled putting their professor lives and their personal life separate, because it makes the story more real. I could see this story being played out in real life.

I think Gino is my favorite character, you need to read the book and found out for yourself.

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are mine own.

About the Author

Catherine Finger loves to dream, write, and tell stories. Retired from a wonderful career in public education, she celebrates the ability to choose how to spend her time in a new way during the second half of life. So far, she chooses to write books, ride horses, serve others, and generally find her way into and out of trouble both on the road and at home. She lives in the Midwest with a warm and wonderful combination of family and friends.

More from Catherine

Thank you for your interest in the Jo Oliver thriller series. Today we celebrate Anchored by Death—book three in the series. The basic plot for this book came as a result of an FBI workshop I attended on how profilers track killers. A particular method was presented that really stuck with me. As I thought it over, I had the idea to combine a map of Wisconsin with the tracking technique I had learned, and I actually built the crime scenes around the theory. I then created a killer who would do the sorts of things I had mapped out, and in that order. This was a satisfying challenge for Josie and I enjoyed my research jaunts throughout Wisconsin while writing the chase and takedown scenes.

When Josie’s off the clock and spending time with family and friends, you can catch our heroine in the kitchen. Ever since her infamous Flourless Chocolate Cake appeared in Anchored by Death, fans have requested the recipe.For the epicurean readers, here is the recipe she used when preparing this special treat:Ingredients:12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips1 ½ sticks butter¼ salt6 eggs, room temp1 ½ cups sugar (white granulated or brown will do)Confectioner’s sugar and cocoa powder for dusting top and cake standHow To:Heat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare springform or regular round pans with nonstick spray or butter and flour.Melt chocolate, butter, and salt—microwave will work in a pinch—or add all to heatproof bowl and place over small saucepan of simmering water to melt without burning. Set aside to coolBeat eggs and sugar until light and thickened, around 6-8 minutes. Fold in melted chocolate mixture until completely combined.Pour batter into buttered and floured cake pan—springform or regular round—and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 90 minutes, until a toothpick comes out wet but relatively clean.Allow cake to cool completely before removing from pan. Dust with confectioner’s sugar and cocoa—Jo used a stencil for a quick and pretty design.

Thanks again for celebrating Anchored by Death—and know that I appreciate you. Readers are a special breed. As a lover of the written word and an author, I invite you to enjoy the read.